York County Democrats look to fill 93rd District seat after O'Rourke withdraws

York County Democratic Party Chairman Chad Baker prior to the York County Young Democrats' democratic debates for three contested Democratic primary races at Marketview Arts in York City, Thursday, April 26, 2018. Dawn J. Sagert photo(Photo: The York Dispatch)Buy Photo

A Democratic ballot vacancy in Pennslvania's 93rd District House seat has local Democrats rushing to fill it in time for the November elections.

Republican nominee and businessman Mike Jones will be running unopposed unless a candidate fills the ballot spot previously held by Meggan O’Rourke, who withdrew from the race Wednesday, Aug. 1, according to a news release from the Democratic Party of York County that same day.

The seat is held by Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York Township, who is vacating the seat in pursuit of Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner's old 28th District Senate seat.

Chad Baker, chairman of the Democratic Party of York County, wrote on Facebook that O'Rourke was "unable to run" for personal issues but the party remains confident.

"In the past, the party has taken a democratic approach to the selection process by opening the candidate interview process up to the district in which the vacancy arises; this instance will be no different," the release states. "It is with the utmost confidence of the party that we will find a strong candidate to seek and win this seat in November."

Any registered Democrat who will have lived in the district for at least one year prior to Tuesday, Nov. 6, and who is at least 21 years old will be able to apply, the release states.

Those interested must submit a letter of interest to the Democratic Party of York County by Friday, Aug. 10, the release adds. Letters and resumes can be mailed to 135 S. Duke St. or can be emailed to cbaker@yorkdems.org.

Once applications are reviewed, the organization will hold a public question-and-answer session from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the York Township building at 25 Oak St.

The forum "will serve as the interview for candidates seeking the nomination," the release states.

Residents who wish to ask the candidates questions must submit their questions before the forum to cbaker@yorkdems.org or bring them to the registration table at the event.

Following the forum, the county committee from the 93rd District and the executive committee will decide on the nominee, and the chosen candidate will be announced, the release continued.

Additionally, the nominee must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party for approval. The candidate's run isn't made official until approved by the state committee executive board.